Introducing Ardi from Science NetLinks

Scientists recently announced a series of findings related to what paleoarchaeologists believe is a hominid ancestor who lived 4.4 million years ago. Ardipithecus ramidus, affectionately nicknamed Ardi, was unearthed over the course of several years in the mid-'90s when scientists located more than 125 bone fragments from the same female skeleton. Bring this amazing discovery into your classroom!

NEW RESOURCES

NEW INTERACTIVE

Slush Rush from Science NetLinks

Decision-making, uncertainty, computer models and space creatures! In Slush Rush, students encounter thirsty customers from across the universe and must figure out the kind and number of drinks to serve to make a profit. With this teacher/facilitator tool and student interactive, students see how computer models can help with handling uncertainty, making decisions and proceeding with projects. Get ready for a close encounter of the thirsty kind!

NEW LESSONS

If a Body Texts a Body: Texting in The Catcher in the Rye from ReadWriteThink

Teach your kids with one of their favorite forms of communication – texting! In this lesson, students explore Holden Caulfield’s character and narrative voice and compare and contrast several forms of communication: telephone, text message, and letter or e-mail. They then select five moments in the novel in which Holden may have sent a text message had he been able. To wrap up, students share their text messages and the rationales behind their choices. Your kids will think this lesson is TG2BT! (Too good to be true!)

The Effects of the Recession from EconEdLink

Have your students delve into how a recession affects our economy, and how it might affect them personally. They can also examine the role the federal government has played in dealing with the current recession, and how the recession compares to the Great Depression. Check it out! You can also rate this lesson!

Homer’s Civil War Veteran: Battlefield to Wheat Field from EDSITEment

Just in time for Veterans Day, this new lesson offers a powerful meditation on America's sacrifices and our potential for recovery. Reflect on the meaning of this painting with your students.

In addition to this new lesson, Thinkfinity has hundreds of Veterans Day resources for every grade level, including the incredible Price of Freedom collection from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

NEW FEATURES

We Shall Remain, partially funded by Verizon Thinkfinity Partner, National Endowment for the Humanities

This exciting 5-part PBS series on Native American History is now available online. EDSITEment’s November Feature provides great suggestions for incorporating these episodes into your teaching of U.S. history and celebrations of Native American Heritage Month.

Also, be sure to check out Verizon Thinkfinity’s full collection of resources for teaching about Native Americans.

NEW PODCASTS

Chatting About Books, Episode 19: Greek Mythology for Kids

Emily Manning chats with kids, parents and teachers about the best in children's literature for ages 4 through 11. Discussions include reading tips and fun activities to do with children before, during and after reading. Take a listen!

Text Messages: Recommendations for Adolescent Readers, Episode 19 – A Conversation with Matt de la Peña

Text Messages is a monthly podcast providing families, educators, out-of-school practitioners and tutors reading recommendations they can pass along to teen readers. Each episode features recommendations of titles that will engage and excite teen readers.
Tune in to hear Matt de la Peña discuss some of the thinking behind his newest novel, We Were Here.

'Tis the Season for
Celebrating Families!

Educators, parents and afterschool practitioners–you are invited to join a FREE 30-minute webinar, Think Family!, focusing on Verizon Thinkfinity resources to help you celebrate your ancestry, explore cultural traditions and keep your kids engaged during the holiday break. Click now to sign up for the Think Family! webinar.

Verizon Thinkfinity also offers a full selection of free webinars. Find one that meets your needs and sign up today!

VERIZON THINKFINITY NEWS

Verizon Thinkfinity is a
Library Media Connection
Award Winner!

Verizon Thinkfinity was awarded Library Media Connection magazine’s Editor’s Choice Award for best of the “Free Web.” Selected for its significance in the school setting, Library Media Connection says about Verizon Thinkfinity, “This is where the good stuff lives!”

VERIZON THINKFINITY PARTNER NEWS

New! MyEconEdLink

You can now personalize your EconEdLink experience with a MyEconEdLink account! MyEconEdLiink gives you the ability to save lessons, add notes to your saved lessons and be notified when new resources are available. Sign up today for this handy tool!

AAAS/Subaru Essay Writing Competition for K–12 Educators

Science NetLinks is pleased to announce that its seventh annual AAAS (American Association for the Advancement of Science)/Subaru Essay Writing Competition for K–12 Educators is now open for submissions. This competition offers teachers the opportunity to share their knowledge on designing science lesson plans and integrating technology into the classroom. Find out more about the competition and award.

NCTE Annual Convention

The National Council of Teachers of English’s (NCTE) Annual Convention is November 19-22 in Philadelphia. As you know, NCTE is a Verizon Thinkfinity Partner and co-author of ReadWriteThink!

If you are attending, don’t miss the ReadWriteThink sessions in the Learning Lab in NCTE Central. ReadWriteThink is being redesigned and these hands-on sessions will show you not only how to navigate the new site, but also the new online resources and components, such as professional development materials, and how they integrate with other offerings from NCTE.

• Thursday, November 19
  2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Saturday, November 21
  2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

National Family Literacy Day was November 1, but you can celebrate it all month long
with these Verizon Thinkfinity resources.

The National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History (NMAH) recently partnered to host a special National Family Literacy Day event.
In honor of National Family Literacy Day, NCFL has just launched some great online resources for parents and children of all ages. Full of Pride and Courage helps families practice literacy skills and connect with the past by learning about courageous people and events that changed our nation. Find the Flags and How Would You Feel? highlight information about the American flag and the civil rights movement. Check out all of NCFL's Online Activities and help create a literate nation by leveraging the power of the family.


Resources from NMAH’s OurStory can also be used by families to celebrate the event at home. Read a recommended book, learn about objects from the Museum’s collections, do hands-on projects and technology extensions, and get tips for field trips – all with OurStory!

New Free Online Literacy Course: The Language Experience Approach from Literacy Network

Teachers and tutors - don’t miss our new course, The Language Experience Approach (LEA)!
LEA uses the learner’s own words to build listening, speaking, reading, writing and/or math skills, and draws on students’ real-life interests and experiences. LEA can be used both in one-to-one tutoring and with groups. This self-paced course takes about 1 hour to complete. Enroll today! (Select The Language Experience Approach from the alphabetical list.)